The Osceola times., 1887-07-02

niatioh. For instance, your long, thin
man takes to the side stroke; your
round. stout-lmbed young fellow prac-
tices the chest stroke, and those who
are relatively stronger in their upper
limbs than the lower have a preference
for the overland stroke, and to see
either of these styles gracefully exc
cuted is pleasure one does not often
| have.
| NOW, let us say something about aids
IN learning to swim. Probably one Of
the best ways of learning TO swim is to
go with competent teacher in boat
IN deep water, thus supporting the
body more buoyantly than that which
is shallower, and preventing the con-
slant tendency of beginners to touch
the bottom, which here is, of course,
impossible. The teacher should fasten
rope securely round the waist. or,
better still. to a belt. which can neither
tighten or slip down. The rope may be
fastened to short pole. Supported in
this manner the pupil may take his
proper position in the water and prac-
tice the necessary motions, and the
support of the rope may be gradually
lessened until the pupil finds himself en-
tirely supported by the water. That is
the first great lesson with which to in
culcate the beginner. viz, that he can
not sink if he will but keep his body
under water, leaving only his mouth
| and nose exposed. His body
then is lighter than the
water and he must float, but every
ounce Of flesh he shows above water is
equal to about pound of lead in
weighing him down. Corks and blad-
ders are often used as supports for
learners. but 1T is much better to be-
gin without them. Life-preservers az:
of little use, as their bulk is generally
all around the chest and they hinder
the free use of the arms and impede
the motion. Swimming with plank
is not a bad way. The young bather
has always the means of saving him
self from the effects of a sudden cramp,
and he can practice with facility the
necessary motions with the legs and
feet, aided by the momentum of the
plank. A piece of light wood three or
four feet long, two feet wide and about
two inches thick will answer very well
for this purpose. The chin may be rest
ed upon the end, the arms used, but this
must be done carefully or the support
may 60 beyond the young swimmers
reach. We mentioned cramp. A few
words about this curse Of the swimmer
may not be out of place. Those per-
sons who plunge into the water when
they are heated by exercise, and re-
main in it until benumbed with cold,
or exhaust themselves by very violent
exertion. are the most subject to at
tacks of cramp. The moment the
swimmer is seized by cramps in the
legs he must not suffer himself to feel
alarmed. but strike out the limb with
all his might keeping the heel down
ward, and drawing the toes as far up
ward rs he can, although, at the same
time, these movements give him great
pain. He may also turn on his back,
and jerk the limb into the air, though
not so high AS to throw himself out of
his balance. Should these attempts
prove unsuccessful he must try to reach
the shore with his hands, or at all
events keep himself afoat until assist
ance can be procured. If he can not
float on his back he may swim upright,
keeping his head above the surface.
by striking the water downward
with his hands near the hips, and
thus make steady progress without
using the legs. If only one leg be at
tackled, the swimmer may strike for
ward with the other. and, to acquire
confidence in cases of cramp, it is ad-
yisable to practice swimming with one
hand and leg. with the hands only, ol
even with one leg
One other useful thing, and that ].
treading water. This is favolte po
sition, and useful as a means of resting
when swimming long distances. The
position is perpendicular, the hands ar,
placed upon the hip or kept close to tn,
side to assist in balancing the body
being moved like fins at the wrist only
The feet are pushed down alternately
so as to support the head above water
and the body may be raised in this wa,
| to a considerable extent While in thi
position if the head be thrown back :,
as to bring the nose and mouth upper
most, and the chest somewhat inflated
the swimmer may sink till hi.
head Is nearly covered, and iemar
any length of time in this position
without motion, taking care to breath,
very slowly. The best time for swim
| is before meals. rather than afte. espec
ially before breakfast and before supper
The heat of the day is to be avoided
but If You bathe in the middle of the
day the head should be protected from
the sun by being kept wet or by wear.
ing a straw hat
And now, in conclusion, let us hope
that every man and boy who has an
opportunity of learning to swim in this
coming summer will not neglect it. Nc
one can tell when the act may be
brought into requisition and be the
means of saving not only your own
life, but maybe. that of others who
are dear to you II is a thing that
once learned is never forgotten, and
the learning is simplicity itself. II any